Where is the RDF going to end up?

ruserious

Morphéus wrote: »

ooh sailors! whats the service with NSR like? Im a ground pounder. Do ye get out much on patrols?

It's very good to be on a patrol. You really feel part of it. Been to sea on LÉ Emer last summer.

goldie fish

Simona1986 wrote: »

It's grand yeah, get out on patrol at least once a year. Some people like to stick with the one ship or whatever if they get on well with the crew, I've served on them all except for the two Peacocks and I've been in 5 years.

You must be a girl so.

goldie fish

ruserious wrote: »

Yes members of the NSR can take part in boardings. I was helping the cox'n of the rib (linesman) while we were preparing to board a trawler. Most of the weapons you can be trained on. I just got to use the fn and h+k out but I know of others that used the gpmg. We also go on lookout and go on the helm of the ships.

That's a No then.

Alkers

goldie fish wrote: »

You must be a girl so.

Wrong. Sorry to disappoint!

goldie fish

Simona1986 wrote: »

Wrong. Sorry to disappoint!

Are you sure?

Alkers

goldie fish wrote: »

Are you sure?

Quite

Reilly616

Hey everyone! I've gotten quite interested in joining the RDF recently, so I've been doing alot of research online. Just a couple things I haven't found, I'm wondering if you could help me out. I know the recruiting is on hold at the moment, so my questions are just for what I can expect in general. (I wouldn't be able to join till Summer 2012 anyway)

Firstly; Do all new recruits start training at the same time of year/ a couple different times of year, and when exactly is this/are these?

Secondly; Are the ranks in the RDF equal to those in the PDF? I know the structure is the same, but I mean for example is an RDF Colonel actually a Colonel in the Irish military, or would he be of lower seniority than his PDF counterpart?

Lastly; Are there any obligations that arise, or is everything optional?

Thanks in advance for any help!

mhorda

Reilly616 wrote: »

Firstly; Do all new recruits start training at the same time of year/ a couple different times of year, and when exactly is this/are these?

Secondly; Are the ranks in the RDF equal to those in the PDF? I know the structure is the same, but I mean for example is an RDF Colonel actually a Colonel in the Irish military, or would he be of lower seniority than his PDF counterpart?

Lastly; Are there any obligations that arise, or is everything optional?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Generally speaking, all new recruits from a battalion will train together. This is how we trained anyway. Over the last few years, due to reduction in numbers, a few battalions generally train together to fill whatever camp they are in to capacity. If there are more people than camps can facilitate, then several recruit camps are run on different weeks.

for us, 2*-3* has generally been a 1 week winter camp in the glen of imaal for the last few years with recruit training being 2 weeks in the summer.

Ranks in the PDF are the same in name only in the RDF upto the level of senior NCO, obviously due to training differences etc. In saying this though, I highly doubt a PDF lad would disrespect a sergeant major or BQ. RDF corporals for instance do not go around telling PDF privates what to do.

In saying this, if an RDF corporal or sergeant is a duty I/C for guard or BOS in a PDF barracks, then they are treated with the same respect as their PDF counterparts. I have known RDF sergeants to charge PDF privates for insubordination and general disrespect while on guard.

Officers receive their commission from the president for both RDF and PDF, so garner the same respect.

I remember when I joined, I thought a PDF commandant was the scariest thing in the world..once you move up the ranks a bit you realise that officers are just managers..

and the analogy I give my lads when teaching them about respecting officers is..a weekend manager is not lower than a full time manager just because he only works part time.

so to answer your question, an RDF commandant manages his company..same as a PDF commandant does.. Lt colonel controls a battalion etc

colonel is the highest rank in the RDF btw so dont piss him off.

with respect to obligations, if you join then you would want to be dedicated, theres no point otherwise..we have enough sacks of ham within the ranks of the RDF. You do not have to attend every week or every weekend, but there is a minimum requirement to remain effective ( not get discharged)

Reilly616

mhorda wrote: »

Generally speaking, all new recruits from a battalion will train together. This is how we trained anyway. Over the last few years, due to reduction in numbers, a few battalions generally train together to fill whatever camp they are in to capacity. If there are more people than camps can facilitate, then several recruit camps are run on different weeks.

for us, 2*-3* has generally been a 1 week winter camp in the glen of imaal for the last few years with recruit training being 2 weeks in the summer.

Ranks in the PDF are the same in name only in the RDF upto the level of senior NCO, obviously due to training differences etc. In saying this though, I highly doubt a PDF lad would disrespect a sergeant major or BQ. RDF corporals for instance do not go around telling PDF privates what to do.

In saying this, if an RDF corporal or sergeant is a duty I/C for guard or BOS in a PDF barracks, then they are treated with the same respect as their PDF counterparts. I have known RDF sergeants to charge PDF privates for insubordination and general disrespect while on guard.

Officers receive their commission from the president for both RDF and PDF, so garner the same respect.

I remember when I joined, I thought a PDF commandant was the scariest thing in the world..once you move up the ranks a bit you realise that officers are just managers..

and the analogy I give my lads when teaching them about respecting officers is..a weekend manager is not lower than a full time manager just because he only works part time.

so to answer your question, an RDF commandant manages his company..same as a PDF commandant does.. Lt colonel controls a battalion etc

colonel is the highest rank in the RDF btw so dont piss him off.

with respect to obligations, if you join then you would want to be dedicated, theres no point otherwise..we have enough sacks of ham within the ranks of the RDF. You do not have to attend every week or every weekend, but there is a minimum requirement to remain effective ( not get discharged)

Thanks for this in depth response! It's very helpful!

mhorda

Reilly616 wrote: »

Thanks for this in depth response! It's very helpful!

No probs chief

concussion

Lt. Colonel is the highest AR rank BTW.

ruserious

Reilly616 wrote: »

Hey everyone! I've gotten quite interested in joining the RDF recently, so I've been doing alot of research online.

I would look into the NSR too if I were you. There is a unit each in Dublin,Cork,Limerick and Waterford. The time I spent in it was great and I would highly recommend it. If you have any questions, just ask.

Morpheus

mhorda wrote: »

RDF corporals for instance do not go around telling PDF privates what to do.

I would like to point out that it is not unknown for an RDF coporal to be positioned as an IC or 2IC in a PDF or mixed PDF/RDF section in a PDF exercise where the RDF have been brought in to bring numbers up, if a position needs to be filled.

The rank still needs to be respected even if you think / know the individual is a complete bag of ham.

Ive seen this happen before and the PDF privates were quite happy to have an RDF corporal control the section or take role as 2IC, not an impossible task in either case, so long as you're physically fit enough to pull your own weight with the rest of the section.

But alas ... ive also seen the opposite happen once or twice!!!

mhorda

concussion wrote: »

Lt. Colonel is the highest AR rank BTW.

I was sure the director of the AR was a Colonel? well there ya go, you live, you learn.

@Morpheus, oh yeah I know, I just meant walking around the barracks on a training night like.

We trained with the PDF for most of my PNCO course years back..and it worked both ways respect wise...great set of people we were with though

Morpheus

well, to be fair....

most corporals (being the hardest working rank and all that *dives for cover* ) are only concerned with members of their own platoon and anyone outside of that, not interfering with their charges, will go by completely unnoticed!!!

concussion

D. Reserve is indeed a Colonel...but he's PDF.

Morpheus

[RANT]
After long and careful thought on the matter and constantly being upbeat about the RDF it is now my belief, from personal experience at unit level, that the current status quo can no longer survive. My unit is dying from the feet up. I personally will attend training tonight and believe strongly that for the first time I can recall, the number of attending privates will actually be less than the number of training NCO's.

This VFM completion delay CAN. NOT. CONTINUE.

why are there mixed answers and conflicting messages regarding recruitment?

Who ultimately in the RDF can give a straight f**king answer about whether a unit CAN or CANNOT recruit?

Im told theres an embargo, yet every day I see posts on here where the NSR is recruiting or another unit has taken in a number of recruits... what the hell is going on?

SOMEONE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD CLARIFY THE SITUATION FOR US.
[/RANT]

concussion

5 recruits attested recently:p :rolleyes:

On the truck, off the truck...

Morpheus

What unit is that? weve lost 7 (i think) to PDF alone in last year and only have 3 recruits to be sworn in yet have about 70 applications in progress/on standby.

concussion

AFAIK, each sub-unit is allowed recruit enough to bring them up to the effective strength they had on a certain date, a date I don't recall. Basically, we are not allowed recruit to establishment as we should be, rather to whatever understrength number we were at when the decision was made.

Morpheus

dont suppose there is anyone in your unit that you can get confirmation from regarding this?

concussion

I'll see if I can find out, if it's not restricted I'll let you know. TBH, your command should know exactly what's happening anyway, even if you don't. It may be the case that those who were posted to the ineffective list, and therefore off the effective strength of the sub-unit, were posted effective. Politics, politics, politics.

Fuinseog

THE RDF is under used and a lot of people do not see any need for their existence. They should have been used in the flooding. That way people might appreciate them more.

Morpheus

Ill see if I can get a straight answer, but doubt it will be forthcoming for some reason!

Reilly616

ruserious wrote: »

I would look into the NSR too if I were you. There is a unit each in Dublin,Cork,Limerick and Waterford. The time I spent in it was great and I would highly recommend it. If you have any questions, just ask.

What's the NSR? Google just directs me to Hondas...

Oh nevermind. Forgot about the Navy :P

trellheim

Recruiting in the RDF is still subject to the general recruitment moratorium across the public service.

We are all waiting for the VFM Review.

ruserious

Reilly616 wrote: »

What's the NSR? Google just directs me to Hondas...

Oh nevermind. Forgot about the Navy :P

Try the Naval Service Reserve this time.

Reilly616

ruserious wrote: »

Try the Naval Service Reserve this time.

What do you mean?

ruserious

Reilly616 wrote: »

What do you mean?

You tried 'NSR' in google and presumably got info on Hondas judging from your previous post.
I said then to try 'Naval Service Reserve' if you want info on that.

Morpheus

trellheim wrote: »

Recruiting in the RDF is still subject to the general recruitment moratorium across the public service.

We are all waiting for the VFM Review.

That poxy thing was supposed to be completed in Jan... how f**king long does it take to evaluate (whats left of) the reserve.